What are the legitimate functions of government?

[Griff]

I wouldn't authorize a govmint to intervene in either case. If the consumer is getting screwed a market without political barriers would provide other options. I would draw the line at coercion, if a business uses the power of government to hold market share it should be destroyed (by the consumer). Government intervention always leads to bullshit like the taxpayers of NY or PA buying stadia for for the poor baseball owners. To paraphrase Gandolf when offered the ring of power... I cannot take it, for I would be tempted use it for good, unfortunately power has its own purposes.